Contentious Politics and Human Rights

Catalog description

This course examines contentious politics - i.e., how people and groups advocate for their political goals and human rights through nonviolent and/or violent tactics, and how governments respond to their demands with repression and/or concessions. Students learn about different forms of nonviolent and violent contention and state repression, as well as trends in contentious politics over time. Students also explore why nonviolent and violent movements emerge, how governments react to them, and what makes some tactics - nonviolent or violent - more successful than others. Using theories, data, and global case studies, students build their ability to analyze the dynamics of political conflict outside of the ballot box. Offered Alternate Years.